FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Colborne, ON (June 28, 2018) – A 58-year-old woman has been charged under provincial animal welfare legislation following an investigation that resulted in 57 dogs and four cats being removed from a home in Colborne.

An Ontario SPCA officer executed a warrant on March 21, 2018 at a home in Colborne after receiving a concern relating to the health of a large number of dogs on the property. Upon entering the house, the officer discovered a large number of Golden Retriever-type dogs in poor body condition that were living in unsanitary conditions.

Orders were issued under the Ontario SPCA Act to have the dogs examined by a veterinarian, develop a nutrition plan with a veterinarian and to improve sanitation and ventilation within the home.

The Ontario SPCA attempted to work with the owner to gain compliance of regulatory standards of care outlined under provincial animal welfare legislation. However, ongoing concerns for the welfare of the animals necessitated their removal. The Ontario SPCA executed a warrant on June 13, 2018 and removed 57 dogs and four cats under the certificate of a veterinarian. The animals are currently in the custody of the Ontario SPCA and are receiving the care they require.

The owner has been charged with:

Permitting dogs to be in distress

Failing to provide adequate and appropriate food and water

Failing to provide adequate medical attention

Failing to provide the care necessary for general welfare

Failing to provide an adequate and appropriate resting and sleeping area

Failing to provide a space to enable the animal to move naturaly and to exercise

Failing to provide sanitary condtions

Failing to provide ventilation

The accused is due to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg on August 15, 2018.

“If you find yourself in a position where you have more animals than you can properly care for, reach out to your local Ontario SPCA Animal Centre or Humane Society to discuss your options,” says Jennifer Bluhm, Deputy Chief Inspector, Ontario SPCA. “Failing to provide your animals with the care they require is not an option.”

Protecting animals since 1873, the Ontario SPCA is Ontario's animal welfare organization. A registered charity, the Society is comprised of close to 50 Communities.

Since 1919, when Ontario's first animal welfare legislation was proclaimed, the Ontario SPCA, with the help of its Communities, has been entrusted to maintain and enforce animal welfare legislation. The Act provides Ontario SPCA agents and inspectors with police powers to do so.